Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-05-21
New Metropolitan Theater.

4 large audience attended last evening
on the occasion of the first appearance
here of the tragedian Frederick Warde.
The play was Virginius." Something
of the warmth of the Endorsement the
artist received may be gathered from the
statement that the applause began early in
the first act-at the close of which Mr..
Warde was recalled-and grew in fire.
queney and Intensity until, at the close
OF the fourth, 1t became a demon
stration, and the actor was called out
three successive times to bow his ac-
acknowledgements and receive fresh testimo-
mails of approval by an intelligent audi
ence. Excepting only on one occasion,
when Mr.. Booth was as frequently ap-
plauded, no other instance is recalled dur
ing fifteen years past in which a Sacra-
mento audience was so emphatic and dem
illustrative in recognition of an artist in the
walks of the legitimate. The number of
actors Is not great to-day who can ade-
quately express the depth of emotion
which marks the character of Virginius.
The actors of high promise and severe
study are now so few that it is no won
der audiences indulge in such de-
monstratlve expressions of approval
and pleasure when one appears
who reveals to them the true coinage of
art. Warde's method is more demonstrate
i've than was that of Mccullough, more
formal than that OF Booth, and his voice
is less smooth and flexible, rising at times
to roughness in its tones and his method
occasionally yerging upon the extrayagant.
But these are minor points of considera-
ton, that disappear in the mastery COM
pleteness of his whole performance To
one who has read the sad story of Vir-
hrrt ho, ~ int sod 4
representation, the effort of Mr.. Warde
will fill the ideal of what such an
one would conceive the wronged Roman
chieftain to be. Compared with others de-
fects appear, and yet Mr.. Warde beside any
will rank as au artist of the higher order.
His iTpassioned appeal to the Roman pop
ulace to resent the cruelties of Appias
Clau1ius; his expression of the depths
and tenderness of love for his daughter:
his touching tribute to his dead friend
Dentatus; the whirlwind of passion and
grief that tore him on hearing of the
seizure of Virginia, made the Virginius
OF Mr.. Warde great character, one
to awaken genuine admiration, and that
drew from the audience the remarkably
warm and just demonstrations of last
evening. His support was good, and the
company as whole is strong. Notably
the Dentatus of Rand, the Virginia of Miss
Blair, and the Icillius of Mr. Herman were
dramatic efforts worthy of pronounced
commentator. Tonight Mr.. Warde will
appear as Richard III. This afternoon a
double bill =" Delicate Ground" and
Kathrine and Petruchio." The success
of last evening has led Mr.. Church to pre-
vail upon Warde to give an extra perform
ance tomorrow evening, when Galba, the
Gladiator" will be played. 1t is Roman
tragedy. in which Mr.. Warde created a
sensation in dramatic circles in New York
last January, and which won him some of
his chief triumphs in San Francisco re-
Gently. 1t gives him an acting part of ex-
ceedlng strength of text for the most eff
fectiye of reading.